High Potential Start-Ups can avail of a package of both technical and commercial supports including business development and cloud services to bring their solutions to market with Microsoft
Enterprise Ireland in collaboration with Microsoft for Startups have teamed up to grant Enterprise Ireland ‘High Potential Start-Ups’ (HPSUs) unique access to a range of supports through the Microsoft for Startups Programme.
The Microsoft for Startups Programme provides access to up to $120,000 (over two years) of Microsoft Azure credits, technology, support and expert advice, enabling HPSUs to rapidly scale and grow. In addition to Azure cloud credits the collaboration also provides HPSUs with:
Access to GitHub Enterprise which enables teams to work together on projects from anywhere
A package of business tools including Office 365, Dynamics 365, Visual Studio & Power Platform
Microsoft sellers working to sell a company’s solution into Microsoft enterprise accounts
A dedicated Start-Up Advocate to work with HPSUs throughout the program
Jenny Melia, Divisional Manager, High Potential Start-Ups, at Enterprise Ireland:“We are very excited that our partnership with Microsoft will see more Irish entrepreneurs and start-ups access this unique offer. Last year, Enterprise Ireland supported 127 start-up companies, investing €24m. However, our start-up strategy involves much more than funding. We are determined to bring together the various strands of the digital ecosystem so that HPSUs can grow their business and scale internationally. This partnership with Microsoft achieves just that.”
The Microsoft for Startups Programme connects HPSUs with Microsoft’s customers, enabling the companies to showcase their product or solution and establish relationships. Microsoft’s global sales team matches start-ups’ innovation with existing customer demand, while a dedicated ‘Microsoft Start-Up Advocate’ will work closely with HPSUs across the business including market on-boarding and Go-To-Market resources.
Andrew Macadam, Managing Director for Microsoft for Startups Europe, said: “Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and company on the planet to achieve more and in Microsoft for Start-ups, we focus on working with the most successful start-ups to drive growth through our customers on the Azure cloud.
He added, “Enterprise Ireland's commitment to developing start-ups with a global ambition and ability to compete internationally is completely aligned with this mission and we are incredibly excited to be partnering with them. Working together, we believe we can provide the perfect platform for Irish start-ups and scale-ups to accelerate their scale and growth globally by leveraging the Microsoft Customer and Partner ecosystem.”
Globally, graduated start-ups from the Microsoft for Start-ups Programme have driven over $1bn in sales pipeline. Microsoft is excited to expand the Microsoft for Start-Ups Programme in Ireland and afford a number of exciting companies the opportunity to rapidly scale and grow their business beyond Irish shores.
Some HPSUs may also benefit from the ‘Global Social Entrepreneurship Programme’ which enables social impact start-ups to bring their solutions to market with Microsoft. The programme offers start-ups a range of supports through technology, executive sponsorship and grants to bring their big visions to a global audience.
Enterprise Ireland and Microsoft are also committed to supporting and encouraging diversity in technology. Both will support HPSU founders from a diverse range of backgrounds who are traditionally underrepresented in the start-up sphere.
Microsoft for Startups has already worked with a number of Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Ups including ApisProtect, an Irish Agtech company on a mission to save the honey-bees. ApisProtect gives beekeepers actionable insights and alerts to help prevent losses and increase colony productivity.
Dr Fiona Edwards Murphy, CEO of ApisProtect, said:"Working with Microsoft for Startups over the past few months, has enabled us to scale our infrastructure to support our global launch in September."
Dr Edwards Murphy added: “Our bee monitoring technology will enable beekeepers to manage their apiaries more effectively and focus on cultivating larger and stronger colonies. We are delighted to be an Enterprise Ireland-supported company working closely with Microsoft for Startups as we scale our company globally over the next two years.”
Cerebreon, an Enterprise Ireland-supported HPSU company, is also benefiting from the Microsoft for Startups programme.
Gillian Doyle, CEO of Cerebreon commented:“At Cerebreon, we handle data for the most vulnerable consumers over international jurisdictions. This demands the highest standards for technology and security. Microsoft for Startups has enabled us to develop our platform to satisfy substantial technical due diligence by clients, instantaneously scale and ensure rapid deployment and integration. The team’s vast experience in Go to Market strategy with enterprise level customers has been of immense benefit in helping Cerebreon scale and grow.”
To find out more about the Microsoft for Startups Programme visit: https://startups.microsoft.com/en-us/